Kansas head coach Bill Self earned his first career victory over an AP No. 1 opponent inside Allen Fieldhouse Monday night as the Jayhawks took down top‑ranked Arizona.
Melvin Council Jr., Flory Bidunga step up in Darryn Peterson’s absence
Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson was ruled out of Monday’s game against the Wildcats just minutes before tipoff due to reported flu-like symptoms. Without the projected top overall pick, it took the Jayhawks a bit to get things rolling.
Per a KU official, Darryn Peterson is out tonight with flu-like symptoms.#kubball
— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) February 10, 2026
Without Peterson, the Jayhawks trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half. Down the stretch, yet it wasn’t an issue thanks to the synergy the team provided earlier in the season without Peterson.
Both Melvin Council Jr. and Flory Bidunga finished the game with 23 points, Bidunga with 10 rebounds and three blocks. Council’s 20-point performance was his first since the team’s Jan. 3 loss on the road against UCF in Kansas' conference-opening loss.
According to the box score, Council never subbed out, either. The senior played all 40 minutes, shooting 6-of-25 from the floor and 33% from three-point range.
Bidunga’s double-double included his 11th straight game in which he recorded at least one block.
Jamari McDowell, Bryson Tiller light up first half
McDowell and Tiller both reached double figures entering the break. Tiller led the way with 14 points, knocking down six of his nine attempts from the floor, including a pair of shots from beyond the arc.
McDowell totaled 10 points, all scored in the opening half. The performance tied his season high and marked the most points he’s produced in any single half this year.
Tiller ended the game logging 36 minutes, 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two turnovers. The freshman scored in double figures for the 10th time all year, three points shy of his season-high 21.
Bidunga comes up big with block in the final seconds
Bidunga delivered the defining moment in the final seconds, swatting away a shot for his third block of the night and sealing possession for Kansas with just 0:17 seconds left.
The rejection drained the last bit of momentum from Arizona and gave the Jayhawks the control they needed to close it out at the line.
Tre White, an 80% free-throw shooter, knocked down two, and the margin held at 82–78. White’s free throws made up half of his total scoring.
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